Ensemble
XXI was the firstindependent orchestra
in Soviet history, founded in 1989 by Irish Conductor
Lygia O’Riordan
and Finnish Violinist Pia Siirala
after completing their studies at the Moscow Tchaikovsky
Conservatory. Today it is still the only orchestra in
Russia with both Russian and International membership.
Ensemble XXI in its foundation, membership and
activity is living proof of the capacity of music to bring
together people of diverse backgrounds and origins on a plane
of understanding which recognises no borders.

The
orchestra has toured to the world’s great cultural centres, to countries that
include Russia, Austria, Finland
Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland,
Sweden, Switzerland and Australia.
Ensemble XXI Moscow has played at venues ranging from the
Vienna Konzerthaus to the Sydney Opera House, and has even
touched on the exotic – a snow and ice-bound reindeer
herders’ camp above the Arctic
Circle.

Ensemble XXI sees its role in bringing music to remote communities
the
world over as an important part of its mission. The
Orchestra’s
Pacific and Atlantic Rim Music Festivals seek
to unite children and music lovers in remote communities
throughout the world. This work has brought professional
performances to audiences which have never before had the
opportunity to hear live classical music. Of particular
importance is the orchestra's ongoing work to highlight the ancient
music of Russia's indigenous communities from the Arctic
Circle to the Far East and to bring about ties with other
indigenous communities around the world. This is the first
time that classical musicians have performed with indigenous
people in Russia. A documentary film
produced by the ABC, which travelled with the orchestra by
helicopter to the Arctic Circle, has captured the
imagination of television viewers around the world.